Planning a Disney World vacation is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming with so many details to manage. From choosing the best time to visit and deciding where to stay, to understanding Lightning Lane and making dining reservations, it’s easy to feel unsure where to start. Here’s everything you need to consider to help you create the perfect 2025 Disney World getaway, ensuring your trip is as magical and stress-free as possible!
1. Choose the Best Time to Visit
Timing is a key piece to planning your best Disney World vacation. When considering the timing of your trip you’ll want to think about your crew’s schedule and priorities.
- Kid’s schedules: If you’re traveling with kid’s, one of the first things to consider is whether or not you’re comfortable taking your kiddos out of school. It is also good to know your school’s policy on this. Beyond school schedules, you’ll want to consider extra curricular activities and when you may have some down time where you can travel. It ‘s also important to remember that this can be different for every trip. I know for my crew, it was much easier to take our kids out of school when they were in grade school than it is now where their classes are more demanding and their coaches are pickier about not missing activities.
- Crowds: If you prefer smaller crowds, consider going during Disney’s “off-season” like January, early May, or September. Disney will be busiest when kids are out of school so if low crowds are important to you, it would be best to avoid common school breaks. One other thing that can cause large crowds are race weekends. The Disney marathons for 2025 are January 8 – 12th, February 20 – 24th, April 3 – 6th, and October 23 – 26th.
- Weather: Keep in mind Florida summers are hot and humid, while spring is usually more pleasant. When considering weather, it’s also important to remember that Florida’s hurricane season is August – November so traveling during that time does come with the risk of a hurricane impacting your trip.
- Special Events: Disney hosts unique events throughout the year, like Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival in the spring or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the fall. If these events interest you, make sure to check the dates when planning your travel.
Pro Tip: If you are hoping for a Disney Christmas vacation but don’t want to fight the holiday crowds, try booking either the second week of November or the first two weeks of December.
2. Set a Budget
Decide early on how much you’re comfortable spending. A budget will impact almost every part of your trip. A Disney vacation has many costs, including:
• Park tickets
• Hotel stays
• Meals and snacks
• Souvenirs
• Transportation to and from Disney
For all of these categories, there are different options and choices you can make that will change your spending significantly. Knowing your budget ahead of time will help guide your decision making and keep your trip planning simpler.
Pro Tip: Want something FREE for your Disney trip? Use my planning services! I’ll take on all of the stress of your Disney planning and it won’t impact your budget at all.
3. Decide Who’s Coming
Multi-generational Disney trips are a very popular choice and can give you amazing memories. When you start to plan, you’ll need to think about how many people you want to go with and how that will change the dynamics of your trip. Taking larger groups to Disney usually means that more planning will be involved. You’ll need more rooms or a larger place to stay. You’ll also need to decide if your group wants to always be together or if you want some individual time. If your group has a wide variety of interests, splitting up can be a great way to get more experiences in the same length of trip.
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4. Dining Reservations
Another factor to consider when planning a Disney vacation is do you want to make dining reservations. This really depends on how important sit down meals are to you and how much of a schedule you want to be tied to. Believe it or not, for our first Disney trip I didn’t make a single dining reservation. I just didn’t like the idea of being tied to a tight schedule on vacation. If that’s you, hear me say it is ok to go to Disney with no dining reservations. We didn’t starve! There are lots of options. You may sometimes have to compromise and eat somewhere that isn’t your first choice, but you will be able to find something to eat. Since then we’ve found a good balance where we make a few dining reservations for the trip but not even one for every day.
Disney has so many incredible dining options, but many popular spots will fill up quickly. Dining reservations open 60 days in advance of your check-in day. If there is something that is a must do for your crew, you’ll definitely want to grab that reservation right at the 60 day mark. If you choose to work with me to plan your Disney trip, I’ll be the one up early making your reservations so you can sleep in.
Some can’t-miss dining options include:
• Character meals like Chef Mickey’s (great for little ones).
• Unique experiences like dining inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom.
• Fine dining options for adults, such as California Grill.
Pro tip: Disney will charge you if you don’t cancel a dining reservation at least two hours before your dining time so make sure to cancel any reservations you’re not going to use.
5. Pick the Right Hotel
Disney hotels cater to different styles and budgets:
• Value Resorts: Great for budget-conscious travelers. Think fun themes and larger-than-life décor.
• Moderate Resorts: A step up with more amenities and scenic surroundings.
• Deluxe Resorts: These offer luxury, proximity to parks, and top-tier dining options.
Finding the right hotel will depend a lot on what you’re looking for. If you’re traveling with little ones and you want them to have an immersive experience then you’ll want to find a resort that has heavy Disney theming. If this is your honeymoon and you’re looking for a resort with a more romantic, adult feel, then you’ll want to steer away from something like the value resorts.
This is another place where working with a travel planner can make your life so much easier! As a Disney travel planner it is my job to know all of the ins and outs of the resorts. I combine that knowledge with what you’re looking for to find you the perfect fit.
Pro Tip: Staying on Disney property often gives you perks like early park entry, earlier Lightning Lane booking and complimentary transportation.
6. Pack Smart
What you pack can make or break your trip. Some essentials include:
• Comfortable shoes: You’ll walk a lot, so break in those sneakers!
• Weather-ready gear: Ponchos for rain and sunscreen for sunny days.
• Park bag: Include snacks, a refillable water bottle, and portable chargers.
• Costumes or Disney gear: Kids might want to dress up as their favorite characters, and themed outfits are fun for the whole crew.
Remember you want to be prepared but not overloaded. If you would like a complimentary copy of my Disney World packing list, click here. Want a list of all of the easy to order Amazon Essentials you should take to Disney World? Check out 24 Amazon Must Haves for Your Disney Vacation.
7. Plan for Experiences and Characters
Meeting beloved characters or experiencing top attractions is a highlight for many Disney fans. Here’s how to ensure you don’t miss out:
• Use Lightning Lane: This paid service helps you skip the line for popular attractions.
• Check showtimes: Plan your day around parades, fireworks, and character meet-and-greets.
• Familiarize yourself with the My Disney Experience app.
Pro Tip: Research your crew’s favorite characters and where to find them. Some meet-and-greets are exclusive to specific locations or events. Don’t want to do the research? Work with me for your trip planning and I’ll customize your itinerary to help you find all of your family’s favorites.
Planning the perfect Disney vacation takes some effort, but it’s worth it to create magical memories with your crew. Focus on what matters most to your family—whether it’s meeting Mickey, riding thrilling attractions, or enjoying time together at the resort and then build your dream vacation off of those priorities.
Remember, the journey is part of the magic. Start planning early, keep things flexible, and get ready for an unforgettable Disney adventure!
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